I HAD a knife pulled on me once at a football match. It was more than 25 years ago but I remember it vividly.

I was at Portsmouth as an away fan in the days before all-seater stadiums and the fencing that keeps opposing supporters apart.

Halfway through the game we realised why the blue-and-white section at the other end had gone silent. The home hooligans had hidden their colours, sneaked around the ground and sidled in amongst us, scenting blood.

The chanting started, boots flew and a gap opened up to reveal one shaven-headed nutter flashing a blade...far too close for comfort.

I legged it fast.

But that sort of scene was not uncommon in the late '70s and '80s when violent thugs nearly ruined our national game.

Thankfully football's got its act together since then. It's gone massively upmarket and corporate and, by and large, soccer grounds are pleasant and safe places for families. Until last week.

Violence and vile chants at Millwall. Aggro and missiles at Chelsea, which could have cost a player an eye.

Two decades ago the game could have properly argued that it was just suffering the backlash of society's ills. That football itself wasn't to blame.

But if soccer thuggery is starting to make a comeback - and I fear that it is - then we know just who to point the finger at this time. PLAYERS...overpaid, oversexed, over-rated, boozing, gambling yobs, who cheat, dive, con referees and commit mad fouls that can end a fellow pro's career.

MANAGERS...who snarl and scream but will NEVER publicly condemn their own players for bad behaviour on the pitch.

The FA...weak confrontation-dodgers who wouldn't decide to put mayonnaise in a prawn sandwich if they thought it would upset anyone. Is it a coincidence that the new terrace violence followed the disgraceful flare-ups at Old Trafford last weekend?

England's No1 striker (the one with a penchant for elderly whores) proudly dives for a penalty.

An international centre forward practically kneecaps a defender. Scuffles in the tunnel and the now-infamous War And Pizza food fight.

Just what kind of an example do these "heroes" think they're setting their young fans?

THAT it's OK to cheat? Have a foulmouth rant at the ref? Cripple an opponent? Shove food in a manager's face? Treat women like animals? Booze and gamble till you drop?

All around the country every Sunday morning you see youngsters on footie pitches trying to emulate their heroes...the bad bits as well as the good.

Our footballers would do well to remember that with great privilege comes great responsibility.